The governing council members of federal universities in Nigeria have said that institutions with continuous very low scores are to be given a red flag, effective from the third quarter of 2028.
The decision was taken in Lagos on Saturday during a National Institute Capacity Building Retreat (NICBR) in Lagos organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in collaboration with Conference for Africa Studies (CFA).
The capacity building for batches 7&9, approved by the Federal Ministry of Education (FMoE) was initiated toward academic excellence, financial sustainability, institutional stability, and global relevance.
In a communique, both the governing council members and vice chancellors agreed that the university’s council and management must undertake physical inspection of facilities annually, with effect from the second quarter of 2027.
They noted that the lack of response to university requests, especially for improved and continuous funding by government at all levels should be recognised as a major risk.
The university governing councils and management also agreed that beyond administrative, financial, and academic autonomies, they should, as a matter of urgency focus on the restoration of the weak institutional capacity deficiency among the organs of the university system.
According to them, a functional risk and compliance management committee should be set up as an intermediary between the university system and government, noting that risk assessment of Federal Government Universities should be done just like the accreditation of programmes.
Also, they urged NIPSS to facilitate a forum of the National Assembly, National Universities Commission (NUC), Federal Ministries of Finance, Federal Ministry of Education, Committee of Pro-Chancellors, Committee of Vice-Chancellors and other relevant stakeholders to have an interface to regularly identify challenges affecting tertiary education in Nigeria with a view to providing solutions to address the issues identified.
It was noted in the communique that NIPSS should encourage the government to ensure sustainable adequate funding of technical and vocational education to provide suitable skills requirements and reduce pressure faced by the university system.
Also, they stressed that over $5.1 billion allegedly recovered from the Abacha government and forfeited looted funds should be injected as additional funds into the universities instead of being re-looted.
According to them, “universities should ensure transparency and accountability by publishing their financial reports in line with the directives of the Federal Ministry of Education. University managements and councils should, as a matter of urgency, enforce the conduct of a baseline risk assessment survey before their next council meeting. University management and councils should encourage the diversification of their energy supply mix by leveraging renewable power (solar) to ensure a stable and sustainable energy supply towards the day-to-day activities of the university system.
“The governing councils should concentrate on policy formulation, strategic direction, and oversight responsibilities, while university management, led by the vice-chancellor, should be responsible for the day-to-day administration and implementation of university programmes and activities
“Government should ensure merit-based appointment of credible, experienced men and women of integrity as Pro-Chancellor and external Council Members.”
The stakeholders agreed that the university’s budgets should be based on needs and not ‘envelope allocation’ with effect from January 2027, adding that sustainable development in the university system could only be achieved through a strategic balance where the government provide supportive policies, adequate funding, and regulatory guidance without excessive interference in academic and administrative affairs.
They added: “Council and management should establish a functional risk management committee to be chaired by a risk officer to oversee risk compilation, recommend solutions, and supervise implementation of a comprehensive risk register in universities.
“Because universities are governed by laws regulated by the National Universities Commission, the Commission should enforce compliance through Council Representatives. Council should see compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks established by the National Universities Commission (NUC), Federal Ministry of Education, and university statutes as essential for institutional stability, credibility and sustainability.
“Council should run the university based on the laws establishing it to the extent that any decision of the council outside the university enabling laws should be voided.
“For effective operations of the university mandate, measures should be put in place to have a strategic plan and Councils should enforce its implementation. University autonomy remains essential for academic freedom, innovation, institutional growth, and efficient decision-making, while government oversight is necessary to ensure accountability, regulatory compliance, and alignment with national development goals.”
